Orlando Magic mulls moves before Game 2 of NBA Finals against L.A. Lakers

LOS ANGELES -- After a 25-point loss in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Orlando Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy is considering several adjustments before tonight's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

One change will involve All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson's minutes, whom Van Gundy said will be on the floor for shorter stretches than he was for Game 1. Despite getting activated before Thursday's opening game after having missed four months with a shoulder injury, Van Gundy kept Nelson on the floor for the entire second quarter. Nelson had an effective start but finished with six points and four assists in 23 minutes.

"It was his first game back, and we should have had him go six or seven minutes during his first stint because it was hard on his stamina, " Van Gundy said. " I thought he played really well early in the second quarter, and so I continued to play him."

Starting point guard Rafer Alston said sitting out the second quarter affected his play in the second half, when he missed all five of his shots and had no assists. He was 2-of-9 from the field and finished with six points.

"As far as Rafer, having that affect his play in the second half, that's up to him, " Van Gundy said. "If I'm looking from the outside, that sounds like an excuse to me."

Another adjustment Van Gundy is considering is using bigger lineups at certain points. The Lakers used their size advantage to outrebound the Magic 55-41 and also cause problems in the post for center Dwight Howard, who made one of six shots in Game 1. Van Gundy could use 6-foot-11 Tony Battie, 6-10 Adonal Foyle or 6-11 Marcin Gortat to help Howard in the post.

"A lot will be determined by how the game goes, " Van Gundy said. "But we have to see if we can control (not allow) 56 points in the paint, so we may have to go bigger."

SORE BUT STILL PLAYING: Lakers forward Lamar Odom said he still feels soreness in his lower back, but it has not kept him from making an impact. Odom injured his back against the Houston Rockets in the conference semifinals, but he did not miss any games and averaged 7.7 points and 8.9 rebounds.

"I fell from three feet in the air, and I could hardly move, but I went out there and played and didn't make any excuses, " Odom said. "My numbers weren't the same, but I didn't expect them to be. I feel better now. My energy is up, and I'm able to be more mobile, so I can rebound the basketball."

SHOOTING SLUMP: Despite averaging 15.1 points in the postseason, Magic swingman Hedo Turkoglu is in a shooting slump that began against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, when he missed 12 of 15 shots. In Thursday's Game 1, Turkoglu shot 3-of-11 from the field for 13 points. He was 1-of-3 on 3-point attempts.

WAITING HIS TURN: Lakers reserve forward Adam Morrison took jump shots and went through drills just like starters Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. But there isn't much chance Morrison, acquired in a trade from Charlotte this past February, will play in the NBA Finals because of his limited work this season. Morrison played in eight regular-season games and has not came off the bench in the postseason.

"Just to be part of it is still pretty special, " said Morrison, a former college star at Gonzaga who was the third overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Bobcats. "A lot of guys just don't get this chance to be in the Finals. So I'm lucky to be a part of it. I do what I can at practice to help the fellows out."

PRACTICE ADJUSTMENT: The Lakers and Magic both practiced at the Lakers' facility in El Segundo. The Staples Center was unavailable Saturday because of a WNBA game involving the Los Angeles Sparks and Detroit Storm.

QUICK SALE: Tickets for the three games in Orlando next week sold out in less than an hour Saturday. The series shifts to Amway Arena in Orlando on Tuesday.